System for purification of domestic household effluent

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a system 10 for treatment and purification of domestic household effluent, and for the elimination within said system of organic solid wastes, comprising elements 12 and 14 for separately collecting first and second constituents of the sewage of a domestic residential unit, lavatory sewage comprising said first sewage constituent, and bath, shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchen sink sewage and the like comprising said second sewage constituent, a first and a second dual-purpose vessel 22 and 24, each vessel having at least one inlet port 18 and 20 and at least one outlet port 26, 28, 30, 32 and being arranged so that during the time period that one of said vessels 22 receives said first sewage constituent and acts as a collector and settling tank, the remaining vessel 24 operates as an anaerobic reaction vessel, the vessel operating as an anaerobic reaction vessel carrying out a decomposition process during which the volume of sludge 34 contained therein is greatly reduced by conversion to compost and gas, a gas outlet 30, 32 being provided at the top of each of said vessels for the collection thereof, first valve means 16 for directing said first sewage constituent to whichever dual-purpose vessel 22, 24 is currently used as a collector and settling tank and for isolating the remaining dual-purpose vessel to convert the same to operate as an anaerobic reaction vessel, at least one aerobic reaction vessel 40 connected to receive an aqueous slurry containing floating organic solids from said collector and settling tank 22, at least one aerator 42 connected to said aerobic reaction vessel 40 for oxygenating said slurry, first pumping means 44, powered at least in part by gas generated in said anaerobic reaction vessel 24, for repeatedly driving said slurry from said aerobic reaction vessel 40 through said aerator 42.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to purification of household effluent.More particularly, the invention provides a process and a system topurify effluents from a building or groups of buildings housing up toseveral hundred families, such purification being sufficient forpurposes of toilet flushing, and permitted disposal of surplus waterinto available drainage conduits, while eliminating biologicallydegradable solids.

BACKGROUND ART

Nearly all prior art sewage purification systems require that sooner orlater the system be closed down to allow removal of sludge that has notbeen fully treated and has accumulated in the processing vessels. Largemunicipal treatment plants have the equipment and personnel to carry outthis work. However, small-scale systems intended for the use of a singlehouse or housing blocks are better served by arrangements that almostcompletely dispose of organic solids and so do not require suchservicing.

As is known, environmental regulations are becoming increasinglystringent, and the legal disposal of wastes, whether as solids, liquidsor even as gases, is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive.

It is known that, besides carbon dioxide and minor quantities of othergases, methane is produced during the decomposition of sludge material.Typically, 0.35 m³ methane becomes available per kilogram of sludgedecomposed. In the U.S., methane produced by cattle and expelled throughtheir digestive systems is considered such an environmental nuisancethat Congress has funded research to see what, if anything, can be doneabout this. Interestingly, methane has a higher heat value than anyother common fuel gas, except for hydrogen. However, in almost all priorart systems, generated methane is discharged into the atmosphere,causing an unpleasant odor. In some localities municipal regulationsprohibit discharge of such gases.

Methods and apparatus for treating domestic effluents are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,172,034 (Carlsson, et al); U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,237(Cawley); U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,586 (Humphrey) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,523(Kuwashima).

Carlsson describes an apparatus which operates on an easy-flowingslurry, having a dry solids content of between 1-15%, preferably 5-10%.Such a dilute slurry unnecessarily extends processing time to achieveaerobic degradation in a reaction vessel with aeration; however, theCarlsson apparatus has the advantage of being compact.

Humphrey discloses a complex sanitation system provided with manyvessels, five of which have multiple air entry orifices. The resultinghigh air consumption necessitates the installation of a large air bloweror compressor, leading to high running costs and a noise suppressionproblem. Another difficulty encountered in the Humphrey system isfinding space in a residential building for all the described systemcomponents.

Cawley describes and claims a process for purifying and recyclinghousehold waste waters, comprising the steps of (a) collecting a firstwastewater stream from household kitchen sources; (b) anaerobicallydigesting said first wastewater stream in a first septic tank; (c)collecting a second wastewater stream from household laundry and bathingsources; (d) combining water from steps (b), (c) and (h); (e)anaerobically digesting water from step (d) in a second septic tank; (f)pumping water from step (e) over a biological sand filter under aerobicconditions; (g) pumping biologically filtered water from step (f)through an ultra-filter, thereby separating the biologically filteredwater into a retentate stream and a permeate stream; (h) returning saidretentate stream to step (d); (i) disinfecting said permeate stream; (j)returning a first portion of said disinfected permeate stream tohousehold laundry and bathing facilities; (k) separating a secondportion of said disinfected permeate stream into a low salt portion anda high salt portion; (l) returning said low salt portion to a householdkitchen; and (m) disposing of said high salt portion.

Kuwashima proposes a pair of separator tanks which are used alternatelyfor separating floating or sedimenting material; the organic material istransferred for aerobic decomposition to a third tank. The device lacksmeans for breaking up large solids into small particles for efficientdecomposition.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

With this state of the art in mind, one of the objects of the presentinvention is to obviate the disadvantages of prior-art small-scaleeffluent treatment systems and to provide a system and process whichinternally eliminates organic solids to an--extent that under normal usemanual disposal of residues will not be required in under ten years ofoperation if at all.

It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the waterconsumption of a family in a building provided with such a system. Suchreduction is reflected not only in water use charges, but also in lowercharges for disposal of sewage, as the latter is often calculated as aproportion of water use charges.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to eliminate thenuisance caused by discharging methane into the atmosphere, and toreduce energy consumption expenses by utilizing gases generated duringdecomposition processes as fuel for powering at least one of the pumpsused in the system.

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a systemfor treatment and purification of domestic household effluent, and forthe elimination within said system of organic solid wastes, comprisingmeans for separately collecting first and second constituents of thesewage of a domestic residential unit, lavatory sewage comprising saidfirst sewage constituent, and bath, shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchensink sewage and the like comprising said second sewage constituent, afirst and a second dual-purpose vessel, each vessel having at least oneinlet and at least one outlet port and being arranged so that during thetime period that one of said vessels receives said first sewageconstituent and acts as a collector and settling tank, the remainingvessel operates as an anaerobic reaction vessel, the vessel operating asan anaerobic reaction vessel carrying out a decomposition process duringwhich the volume of sludge contained therein is greatly reduced byconversion to compost and gas, a gas outlet being provided at the top ofeach of said vessels for the collection thereof, first valve means fordirecting said first sewage constituent to whichever dual-purpose vesselis currently used as a collector and settling tank and for isolating theremaining dual-purpose vessel to convert the same to operate as ananaerobic reaction vessel, at least one aerobic reaction vesselconnected to receive an aqueous slurry containing floating organicsolids from said first sewage constituent from said collector andsettling tank, wherein the solid content is maintained at about 15-35%,the reaction being carried out at a temperature of between -6° C. to 92°C. while said slurry is maintained at a flowable constituency, at leastone aerator connected to said aerobic reaction vessel for oxygenatingsaid slurry, first pumping means, powered at least in part by gasgenerated in said anaerobic reaction vessel, for repeatedly driving saidslurry from said aerobic reaction vessel through said aerator, tomaintain the oxygen level in said aerobic reaction vessel at at least 1p.p.m, a separation and settling vessel for receiving therein aeratedand bio-aerobic reacted slurry from said aerobic reaction vessel, afirst filtered outlet for removing purified water from said separationvessel, a second outlet means for pumping settled slurry particles fromsaid separation and settling vessel to said dual-purpose collector andsettling vessel, a lower storage vessel receiving said secondconstituent, upper storage vessel providing water for toilet flushing,and second pumping means for transferring said second constituent fromsaid lower storage vessel to said upper storage vessel.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a treatmentand purification system wherein said upper storage vessel is providedwith a first water-receiving container having an open upper rim overwhich flows foam floating on water in said vessel together with overflowwater therefrom, which overflow water and foam are then used for toiletflushing.

Yet further embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter.

The present invention also provides for a method for the treatment andpurification of domestic household effluent, and for the eliminationwithin said system of organic solid wastes, comprising:

a. separately collecting as a first constituent the lavatory sewage of adomestic residential unit, and as a second constituent the bath, shower,wash basin, laundry, kitchen sinks sewage;

b. providing a first and a second dual-purpose vessel, each vesselhaving at least one inlet and at least one outlet port and beingarranged so that during the time period that one of said vesselsreceives said first sewage constituent and acts as a collector andsettling tank, the remaining vessel operates as an anaerobic reactionvessel, the vessel operating as an anaerobic reaction vessel carryingout a decomposition process during which the volume of sludge containedtherein is greatly reduced by conversion to compost and gas, a gasoutlet being provided at the top of each of said vessels for thecollection thereof;

c. providing first valve means for directing said first sewageconstituent to whichever dual-purpose vessel is currently used as acollector and settling tank and for isolating the remaining dual-purposevessel to convert the same to operate as an anaerobic reaction vessel;

d. providing at least one aerobic reaction vessel connected to receivean aqueous slurry containing floating organic solids from said collectorand settling tank, wherein the solid content is maintained at about15-35%, the reaction being carried out at a temperature of between -6°C. to 92° C. while said slurry is maintained at a flowable constituency;

e. providing at least one aerator connected to said aerobic reactionvessel for oxygenating said slurry;

f. providing first pumping means, powered at least in part by gasgenerated in said anaerobic reaction vessel, for repeatedly driving saidslurry from said aerobic reaction vessel through said aerator, tomaintain the oxygen level in said aerobic reaction vessel at at least 1p.p.m;

g. providing a separation and settling vessel for receiving thereinaerated and bio-aerobic reacted slurry from said aerobic reactionvessel; said separation vessel having a first filtered outlet forremoving purified water therefrom and having a second outlet means forpumping settled slurry particles from said separation and settlingvessel to said dual-purpose collector and settling vessel;

h. providing a lower storage vessel receiving said second constituent;

i. providing an upper storage vessel providing water for toiletflushing; and

j. providing second pumping means for transferring said secondconstituent from said lower storage vessel to said upper storage vessel.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the reaction in theaerobic reaction vessel is carried out at a temperature of between 16and 42° C.

In especially preferred embodiments of the present invention there isprovided a treatment and purification system, further comprising meansfor collecting, at source, a third kitchen water constituent and passingsaid kitchen water constituent through a stripping unit for separatingorganic and other waste components therefrom. Said preferred embodimentspreferably also comprise means for feeding said separated organic andother waste components from said kitchen-water constituent to one ofsaid dual-purpose vessels. In this manner garbage disposal units can beinstalled in the kitchen sinks with the knowledge that the effluentthereof will not block drainage systems since the waste components willbe processed and directed to one of said dual-purpose vessels to undergoan anaerobic decomposition in said embodiment, said dual purpose vesselsare provided with cellulose digesting bacteria which do not interferewith the anaerobic bacteria found therein and work.

It will be realized that substantial savings can be achieved in planningresidential neighborhoods with the elimination of a sewage pipingnetwork. Householders will save paying for water for directed use and bynot being charged for sewage disposal. A saving of 60 liters of waterper day, per person, can be expected. High quality water will thus bepreserved for those uses that require the same, mainly for drinking,food preparation and washing.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferredembodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so thatit may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressedthat the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention only and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, noattempt is made to show structural details of the invention in moredetail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of theinvention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent tothose skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may beembodied in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the purificationsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of part of the same system showing theutilization of generated gas;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of part of a second embodiment of apurification system showing size reduction components;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of part of a third embodiment of apurification system further provided with filter means;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of part of a preferred embodiment of apurification system having a special arrangement of the upper storagevessel;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of part of an embodiment generatingelectricity by use of a water turbine;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of part of a further embodiment of apurification system further provided with sludge transfer means;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of part of a further purification systemprovided with means for collecting a kitchen-water constituent andseparating waste components therefrom; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment, wherein the anaerobic tankis heated.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There is seen in FIG. 1 a system 10 for treatment and purification ofdomestic household effluent, and for the elimination within said systemof organic solid wastes.

Separate drainage means 12, 14 are provided for separately collectingfirst and second constituents of the sewage of a domestic residentialunit. Lavatory sewage comprises the first sewage constituent, and bath,shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchen sink sewage and the like comprisesthe second sewage constituent.

Drainage means 12 are connected to first valve means 16 which in turn isconnected to the inlet ports 18, 20 of a first and a second dual-purposevessel 22, 24. Each of these vessels is also provided with two outletports 26, 28, 30, 32, and are identical to each other in construction.By use of first valve means 16 the vessels 22, 24 are arranged to havealternate functions; during the time period that the vessel 22, forexample, acts as a collector and settling tank, the remaining vessel 24operates as an anaerobic reaction vessel for generating compost.

The vessel 24 operates as an anaerobic reaction vessel when isolated byfirst valve means 16 and 20, and carries out a decomposition processduring which the volume of sludge 34 contained therein is greatlyreduced. The upper outlet port 32 comprising a one-way valve (notshown), is used for the removal of fuel gas 36 generated during thedecomposition process. Utilization of gas 36 will be described withreference to FIG. 2. A gas-tight charging door 38 is provided in vessels22, 24 so that biologically degradable material, for example animalexcrement, can be loaded during start-up.

First valve means 16 directs the first sewage constituent to whicheverdual-purpose vessel, 22 in the present example, is currently used as acollector and settling tank. First valve means 16 are operated when asubstantial quantity of solids have accumulated in the vessel 22 beingcurrently used as a collector and settling tank. The time period betweensuccessive operations of valve means 16 exceeds one year, and istypically three years, under normal operating conditions.

An aerobic reaction vessel 40 is connected to receive an aqueous slurrycontaining floating organic solids from the collector and settling tank22. The solid content therein is maintained at about 15-35%, thereaction being carried out at a temperature of between -6° C. to 92° C.The slurry is maintained at a flowable constituency.

An aerator 42 is connected to the vessel 40 for oxygenating the slurry.The high solid content stated makes for efficient aeration. The widetemperature range permitted corresponds to the survival temperature ofactive bacteria which cause decomposition of organic wastes.

First pumping means 44, such as a centrifugal immersion pump, repeatedlydrives slurry from the aerobic reaction vessel through aerator 42 tomaintain the oxygen in vessel 40 at at least 1 ppm. First pumping means44 is powered at least in part by gas generated in the anaerobicreaction vessel 24.

Advantageously first pumping means 44 are arranged to cause vigorousagitation to effect size reduction of suspended solids in the slurry. Asimple method of achieving this end is to use a powerful pump engine andto drive the pump at a speed in excess of that needed with regard to therequirements of aeration alone.

A separation vessel 46 receives aerated and bio-aerobic reacted slurryfrom the aerobic reaction vessel 40.

Further settling and solid particle aggregation takes place in thisvessel.

A sludge pump 48 capable of handling such material transfers samethrough a second outlet means 50 provided for pumping such particlesfrom separation vessel 46 via first valve means 16 to dual-purposecollector and settling vessel 22, in the shown example.

A first filtered outlet 52 is provided for removing purified water fromthe separation vessel 46. Advantageously the filter 54 is provided withmeans for automatically clearing filter plate blockages. The quality ofthe purified water is determined by the quality of the filter unit 54.

A lower storage vessel 56 connected to drainage means 14 receives thesecond constituent.

An upper storage vessel 58 provides water for toilet flushing. Vessel 58is fed by means of second pumping means 60 which transfers water fromthe lower storage vessel 56. Water in excess of that required for toiletflushing is sufficiently purified to be passed to drainage 62. If vessel58 requires more water than provided by the system at any particulartime, then additional water can be provided to the upper storage vessel58 from the water main (not shown).

With reference to the rest of the figures, similar reference numeralshave been used to identify similar parts.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is seen a detail of the same treatmentand purification system 10 described with reference to FIG. 1.

Gas 36 is produced in the dual purpose vessels (only one of which, 24,is shown) and is collected in tank 64, compressed in compressor 66,stored in tank 68 at compressed pressure, and used at least in part topower first pumping means 44 which drives slurry through the aerator 42.System 10 thus operates while requiring less electricity, and moreimportant in urban areas, reduces the generation of unpleasant odors.

The primary component, typically 57-67% of the generated gas, ismethane. The remainder is almost all carbon dioxide. The heating valueof such a gas mixture is about 5000 to 6500 kcal/cubic meter. Thecompressed gas is fed into an internal combustion engine 70 havingenhanced protection against internal corrosion. Engine 70 is connectedto first pumping means 44, which in turn is also connected to be drivenby an electric motor 72 when gas 36 is for any reason unavailable, forexample during start up. Alternatively, or in addition, said gas can beconverted to electricity, or be used in a burner for directly heatingwater.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of a second embodiment of a purification system 74having components for size reduction of solids contained in the firstsewage constituent.

Pumped slurry is repeatedly impacted against an array of stationarycutter blades 76 to effect size reduction of suspended solids in theslurry moving around the aeration circuit. Particle size is therebyadvantageously reduced to a size of up to 1.5 millimeters, the resultantincrease in solids exposed surface area leading to effective aeration.

Seen in FIG. 4 is a detail of a third embodiment of a purificationsystem 78 provided with further filter means.

The water outlet port 80 of the lower storage vessel 82 is connected toa filter 84 for the removal of solids from water passing therethrough.Water passing the filter is stored in the upper storage vessel 86 and isused for toilet flushing. Excess water is available for horticulturalpurposes 87.

While there is no objection to the inclusion of small solids forflushing, it is nevertheless advantageous to remove such solids toprevent malfunctioning of the flush tank mechanism 88.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is seen part of a preferred embodiment ofa purification system 90 having a special arrangement of the upperstorage vessel 92.

An upper storage vessel 92 is provided with a first water-receivingcontainer 94 having an open upper rim 96. Water in the container 94includes fats, soaps and detergents which originated in the secondsewage constituent. A pump 97 agitates the water in the container 94,and causes foaming. The foam 98 floats on the water in the container 94,and together with overflow water therefrom, flows down into the tank100. Overflow water and foam 98 is withdrawn from the tank 100 as neededfor toilet flushing.

Shown in FIG. 6 is an embodiment generating electricity by use of awater turbine 102.

A treatment and purification system 104 generates electricity for use inthe system, by means of a turbine 102 in a water pipe 106 leading downupper storage vessel 108. Rechargeable electric batteries 110, connectedto a pump motor 112, provide power storage, so that first pumping means44, seen in FIG. 1, can be operated when gas or mains power isunavailable. In additional embodiments (not shown) supplementaryelectricity is generated by solar cells or by a windmill, the choicedepending on which is the more suitable for the location in which thesystem is to be installed.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is depicted a detail of an embodiment ofthe treatment and purification system 116 having provision for thetransfer of sludge 34. The first and second dual-purpose vessels 118,120 are provided with an additional inlet 122, 124 to receive, and anadditional lower outlet 126, 128 to discharge sludge 34 accumulating atthe bottom of vessels 118, 120. Each vessel is provided with a pump 130,132 capable of handling such material. Sludge transfer is effected fromthe dual-purpose vessel (for example 122) to be used for storage andsettling to the vessel (124 in the present example) to be used foranaerobic decomposition. In the present embodiment activation of theappropriate pump (130 in this example) is effected through a controlpanel 134 and is automatically triggered by movement of first valvemeans 136.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is seen a block diagram representation ofa system 138 comprising means 140 for separately collecting at source athird kitchen-water constituent 142 which is passed through a strippingunit 144, which can be either a static or dynamic filtering unit forseparating organic and other waste components 146 therefrom. In saidfigure the remaining components are the same as those described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As will be realized, water exiting filter and settling unit 46 andentering storage 56 can not only be recycled by pump 60 for lavatoryuse, but can also exit the system to be available for other uses,depending on water purity.

As stated hereinbefore, such an arrangement enables the effective use ofgarbage-disposal units installed in kitchen sinks.

In this embodiment dual purpose vessel 24 is provided not only withanaerobic bacteria, but also with cellulose-consuming bacteria such asTrichonympha, which can function in conjunction with said anaerobicbacteria without either interfering with the other.

FIG. 9 depicts a part of a further system 86, similar to that describedabove with reference to FIG. 1, however, speeding up the anaerobicdecomposition process. An anaerobic decomposition reactor 88 is providedwith a spaced-apart triple wall 90, 91, 92, forming two concentric outercompartments 93 and 95 around each of said vessels 88 for introductiontherein of fluids for regulating the temperature within said vessels.Preferably, compartment 93 adjacent to said vessel 88 is filled with anoil fluid 97 and compartment 95 is connected by inlet and outletconduits 98, 99 to a source 94 of aqueous fluid 96 for heating thereactor 88, which fluid is heated by a heat source 89. Heat can beprovided either electrically, or by burning a fuel, suitably some of themethane 74 produced in the reactor 88. The heating of the reactor 88speeds up the decomposition process and also enables the decompositionof materials which do not disintegrate significantly at roomtemperature. This arrangement is also preferred for systems installed incold climates. In addition, the rate of decomposition within reactor 88can be regulated by controlling the temperature of aqueous fluid 96introduced into compartment 95, which aqueous fluid then serves to heator cool oil fluid 97, which in turn heats or cools the contents ofreactor 88, hot water being removable from compartment 95 and beingreplaceable by cooler aqueous fluid as desired, optionally using furtherinlet and outlet conduits (not shown).

It is to be noted that the conduits interconnecting the variouscomponents of the system and leading therefrom can be formed asdouble-wall conduits and the system can further comprise means forintroducing heated water between the inner and outer walls of saidconduits to heat the contents of the fluids flowing therethrough.

In addition, the gas produced in reactor 88 can be fed to a burner forheating water to be circulated between the inner and outer walls of saidconduits, which heated water can also be introduced under pressure intosaid conduits to flush the same when necessary.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is notlimited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments andthat the present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for treatment and purification ofdomestic household effluent, and for the elimination within said systemof organic solid wastes, comprising:means for separately collectingfirst and second constituents of the sewage of a domestic residentialunit, lavatory sewage comprising said first sewage constituent, andbath, shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchen sink sewage and the likecomprising said second sewage constituent; a first and a seconddual-purpose vessel, each vessel having at least one inlet and at leastone outlet port and being arranged so that during the time period thatone of said vessels receives said first sewage constituent and acts as acollector and settling tank, the remaining vessel operates as ananaerobic reaction vessel, the vessel operating as an anaerobic reactionvessel carrying out a decomposition process during which the volume ofsludge contained therein is greatly reduced by conversion to compost andgas, a gas outlet being provided at the top of each of said vessels forthe collection thereof; first valve means for directing said firstsewage constituent to whichever dual-purpose vessel is currently used asa collector and settling tank and for isolating the remainingdual-purpose vessel to convert the same to operate as an anaerobicreaction vessel; at least one aerobic reaction vessel connected toreceive an aqueous slurry containing floating organic solids from saidcollector and settling tank, wherein the solid content is maintained atabout 15-35%, the reaction being carried out at a temperature of between-6° C. to 92° C. while said slurry is maintained at a flowableconstituency; at least one aerator connected to said aerobic reactionvessel for oxygenating said slurry; first pumping means, powered atleast in part by gas generated in said anaerobic reaction vessel, forrepeatedly driving said slurry from said aerobic reaction vessel throughsaid aerator, to maintain the oxygen level in said aerobic reactionvessel at at least 1 p.p.m; a separation and settling vessel forreceiving therein aerated and bio-aerobic reacted slurry from saidaerobic reaction vessel; a first filtered outlet for removing purifiedwater from said separation vessel; a second outlet means for pumpingsettled slurry particles from said separation and settling vessel tosaid dual-purpose collector and settling vessel; a lower storage vesselreceiving said second constituent; an upper storage vessel providingwater for toilet flushing; and second pumping means for transferringsaid second constituent from said lower storage vessel to said upperstorage vessel.
 2. A treatment and purification system according toclaim 1, wherein said first pumping means is arranged to cause vigorousagitation to effect size reduction of suspended solids in said slurry.3. A treatment and purification system according to claim 1, whereinpumped slurry is impacted against an array of cutter blades to effectsize reduction of suspended solids in said slurry.
 4. A treatment andpurification system according to claim 1, wherein an outlet port of saidlower storage vessel is connected to a filter for the removal of solidsfrom water passing therethrough.
 5. A treatment and purification systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the time period between successiveoperations of said valve means exceeds one year under normal operatingconditions.
 6. A treatment and purification system according to claim 1,wherein said upper storage vessel is provided with a firstwater-receiving container having an open upper rim over which flows foamfloating on water in said vessel together with overflow water therefrom,which overflow water and foam is then used for toilet flushing.
 7. Atreatment and purification system according to claim 1, whereinelectricity is generated, by means of a turbine in a water pipedescending from said upper storage vessel.
 8. A treatment andpurification system according to claim 1, wherein each said dual-purposevessel is provided with an inlet to receive sludge accumulating at thebottom of the remaining dual-purpose vessel.
 9. A treatment andpurification system according to claim 1, further comprising means forcollecting, at source a third kitchen water constituent, and passingsaid kitchen water constituent through a stripping unit for separatingorganic and other waste components therefrom.
 10. A treatment andpurification system according to claim 9, comprising means for feedingsaid stripped kitchen water constituent through a filtering unit fordirected use.
 11. A treatment and purification system according to claim9, comprising means for feeding said separated organic and other wastecomponents to one of said dual-purpose vessels and subjecting the sameto an anaerobic decomposition process to produce methane from componentsthereof.
 12. A treatment and purification system according to claim 11,wherein said dual purpose vessels are provided with cellulose-consumingbacteria.
 13. A treatment and purification system according to claim 1,wherein said dual purpose vessels are each provided with a spaced-aparttriple wall forming two concentric outer compartments around each ofsaid vessels for introduction therein of fluids for regulating thetemperature within said vessels.
 14. A treatment and purification systemaccording to claim 13, wherein a compartment formed adjacent to saidvessel is filled with an oil fluid and wherein the outermost compartmentis provided with means for introducing and removing aqueous fluid.
 15. Atreatment and purification system according to claim 14, wherein saidaqueous fluid is water heated by burning gas produced by one of saidvessels.
 16. A treatment and purification system according to claim 1,comprising a plurality of double-wall conduits interconnecting variouscomponents of said system and leading therefrom, and further comprisingmeans for introducing heated water between the inner and outer wall ofsaid conduits to heat the content of fluids flowing therethrough.
 17. Amethod for the treatment and purification of domestic householdeffluent, and for the elimination within said system of organic solidwastes, comprising:a. separately collecting as a first constituent thelavatory sewage of a domestic residential unit, and as a secondconstituent the bath, shower, wash basin, laundry, kitchen sinks sewage;b. providing a first and a second dual-purpose vessel, each vesselhaving at least one inlet and at least one outlet port and beingarranged so that during the time period that one of said vesselsreceives said first sewage constituent and acts as a collector andsettling tank, the remaining vessel operates as an anaerobic reactionvessel, the vessel operating as an anaerobic reaction vessel carryingout a decomposition process during which the volume of sludge containedtherein is greatly reduced by conversion to compost and gas, a gasoutlet being provided at the top of each of said vessels for thecollection thereof; c. providing first valve means for directing saidfirst sewage constituent to whichever dual-purpose vessel is currentlyused as a collector and settling tank and for isolating the remainingdual-purpose vessel to convert the same to operate as an anaerobicreaction vessel; d. providing at least one aerobic reaction vesselconnected to receive an aqueous slurry containing floating organicsolids from said collector and settling tank, wherein the solid contentis maintained at about 15-25%, the reaction being carried out at atemperature of between -6° C. to 92° C. while said slurry is maintainedat a flowable constituency; e. providing at least one aerator connectedto said aerobic reaction vessel for oxygenating said slurry; f.providing first pumping means, powered at least in part by gas generatedin said anaerobic reaction vessel, for repeatedly driving said slurryfrom said aerobic reaction vessel through said aerator, to maintain theoxygen level in said aerobic reaction vessel at at least 1 p.p.m; g.providing a separation vessel for receiving therein aerated andbio-aerobic reacted slurry from said aerobic reaction vessel; saidseparation vessel having a first filtered outlet for removing purifiedwater therefrom and having a second outlet means for pumping slurryparticles from said separation vessel to said dual-purpose collector andsettling vessel; h. providing a lower storage vessel receiving saidsecond constituent; i. providing an upper storage vessel providing waterfor toilet flushing; and j. providing second pumping means fortransferring said second constituent from said lower storage vessel tosaid upper storage vessel.
 18. A method according to claim 17,comprising separately collecting, at source, a third kitchen waterconstituent and passing said kitchen water constituent through astripping unit for separating organic and other waste componentstherefrom.
 19. A method according to claim 18, further comprisingfeeding said separated organic and other waste components from saidkitchen water to one of said dual-purpose vessels.